He's Here!

Benjamin arrived early yesterday morning. Katie started feeling contractions while preparing dinner on Monday evening and so we headed to the hospital where they admitted her. She gave birth to Benjamin at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday morning. Both Katie and Ben are doing very well. We head home tomorrow afternoon where we will join Nathaniel and my folks. Nat has visited a few times and, while he doesn't quite know what is going on, he is taking everything in and considering the situation, doing very well.

My dad and I are planning a couple of "big brother" events this next week to make sure Nat has some good "guy" time. We'll probably hit a high school football game on Friday and sometime next week, enjoy the excitement of Chuck 'E' Cheese.

Anyway, things are excellent at the Olson household. What a blessing it is to be a dad. As I've said before, it is the greatest job in the world.

Enjoy just a couple of pictures. More to follow in the days ahead.

Rob

Are these guys brothers or what? The picture on the top is of Benjamin and the other is of Nathaniel not long after he was born. Pretty amazing huh?

Today, Tomorrow, ....?

Well, the baby will be here soon! The Doc said he will induce Katie tomorrow if she has not started going into labor. My folks are on the way up as I write and should be here this evening. Katie is really excited that this will be her last day of work for six weeks. I am excited that I will have almost three weeks with my new son before I head to CH-OBLC.

Nat is doing really well and we continue to discuss that dad will be going to "soldier school" soon. We talk about how we will talk on the computer like he does with his grandparents. It will be tough for both of us, but I believe he will do well. Especially since he will have his "Grandpie" and "Papa" around for quite a bit of the time I am gone. And when they are not here, one of the grandmother's will be.

I have been following the current class at Ch-OBLC through a few blog's and the most recent post of one blog I've been reading reports that they are completing their "capstone" experience, which is the final piece of their training before graduation. As I read Chaplain Ham's blog, I get really excited about the journey ahead. While there are numerous challenges ahead in the next three months, one of the challenges for me will be the fact that following Ch-OBLC, I have five classes to complete while many of these Chaplains will start their military ministry right away. But, God is good and his timing is perfect. Certainly, this will be a great motivator to finish strong!

Chaplain Ham also referred to an article on the new Chief of Chaplains. I am very excited about the potential of meeting Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Carpenter this fall.

I will keep you posted on the arrival of the baby. He is coming soon, and we are really excited!

Blessings,

Rob

September is Approaching

Well, I got my paperwork for Ch-OBLC today. While some of you may be saying, "Well, didn't you know you were getting it?" Sure, I knew I was getting it, but nothing is official in the Army until you have paperwork in hand. So, it's official. I will be heading out for three months this fall. From Sept. 16 to Dec. 15. To say I am excited is an understatement. To prepare, I have been running two miles a day for three days every week for quite awhile now, so I am certainly getting into better shape. I will probably start running five days a week next week, so I can be more prepared for what's ahead.

My wonderful wife's pregnancy is going well too. The baby should come any time now. The Doc will probably induce in some way in a week and a half if the baby has not come "naturally" by then. We are also starting to phase out of our ministry responsibilities at church. Someone is taking over the children's church this Sunday and there is a tentative plan for a new group to start leading worship. All in all, things are progressing.

On another note, Katie and I will be signing up for a winter retreat at White Sulphur Springs. WSS is a conference center affiliated with Officers Christian Fellowship. My folks have been a part of OCF for many years, and since much of our time was spent on the east coast, we have been to this place many times while I was growing up, so I am excited to take my family there for a retreat. It is intended for military families, so I am hoping that it will be a great way for Katie and I to start meeting military families who love and serve Jesus. All in all, we are really excited.

Exciting times are ahead. Be sure to stick around for the updates as Ch-OBLC comes closer. And feel free to pray for us. We know that there will be some new challenges for us this fall while I'm away, but we are so excited about what God is doing.

Thanks for reading,


Rob

Orders

While not my orders for Ch-OBLC, I got my orders today for entrance into the Reserves. Things are just flying now! Actually, it's pretty amazing how fast these came. I believe the receiving of these orders make the issuing of orders for Ch-OBLC (Chaplains basic) right around the corner. I'll keep ya posted.

Rob

2 Lt. Olson

I am now a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve. It was a fun evening. Basically the order of events went like this:

-I welcomed people and thanked them for being there.
-Our pastor opened with prayer.
-We watched a video testimony of Chaplain (Major) Dave Bowlus that was published by the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
-Message from my Father, Colonel Walter Olson (Ret.) and issue of the Oath
-Pinning of my 2nd Lt. Bars - My wife and mom ceremonially pinned on brass 2nd Lt bars on
my collar. No, they are not official, but for the purpose of the ceremony, it was right. My son
"stuck" my velcro 2nd Lt. rank on the front of my uniform. It was really fun.
-First Salute by one of my best friends, SSG Brian Swomley. After this, I passed on to him a silver dollar, as is tradition, and a C&MA Chaplains Challenge Coin.
-Short Message by me - I focussed on relying upon the plans of God as we take steps to follow Him.
-Another Video testimony, by Chaplain (Major) Kevin Pies
-Close in prayer


It was a great time. It was really exciting to have my dad speak and issue me the oath. He started his "speech" with a funny introduction. Basically he told the people how my Grandfather and Uncle spent four years preparing to be an officer at West Point. He told them how he thought he did well by completing Officers Candidate School in nine weeks as an Army Reservist. But me. All I have to do is write a letter and make some phone calls and I'm in! It was fun.

It was also great to have one of my best friends there to salute me. It is an Army tradition to pass on a dollar, in this case a silver dollar, to the person who offers a newly commissioned officer his first salute. It was also a lot of fun. All in all it was a great ceremony.

At this point all the paper work I needed to get in, to go to Chaplains Officers Basic this fall is in and the Chaplain Candidate Manager says I am ready to go. I must say, I feel ready to go. It is an exciting time!


Rob

Are You Ready for some Football?!

Ahh, football season. As the heat of the summer gives way to the brisk cool mornings of fall and the leaves start to change, you can count on Sunday afternoon fun! I love football season! And yes, I love the Green Bay Packers! My wife and I have had the opportunity to go to at least one game for the past four seasons...? And my first game was a Monday night game against the Vikings in 2000. Yes, it was the game that Antonio Freeman caught the ball that looked as if it was dropped, but oh no, he caught it and the Pack went on to win the game. (This clip is still shown on shows that highlight great plays in football.)

Well, with CHOBLC and the birth of our new little boy this year, I will be unable to get to Lambeau Field this fall. But I will still cheer on my Pack. (I'll have to get some video of my son yelling, "Go Pack Go!" Oh yes, he is only two, but dad knows the important things to teach him.)

So, as the pre-season begins and everyone dreams of Superbowl victories, if you don't watch the Pack, that's ok. Just know that each week Favre will probably break some record. So sit back and enjoy the season.

Rob